Challenges of Driving Jobs

The rewards of driving jobs are many, but there are also several risks. The appealing side of having a transportation job is getting to set your own hours, driving across the country with the opportunity of seeing beautiful sites, and getting paid a decent wage, often based on the number of miles you have clocked.

There are several different kinds of truck drivers. You can choose to be a freight hauler, construction hauler, hazardous hauler, tank hauler, flat bed hauler, local hauler, road driver, long haul driver, low boy hauler, small doubles, large doubles, triples small, straight trucks, or other specialized hauling. Drivers need special endorsements to drive these rigs legally.

No matter what transportation job you choose to get, all of them pose different kinds of hazards. You may injure yourself loading and unloading trucks. It's always important to wear special belts and to bend and lift the proper way to avoid injury.

Another hazard of transportation jobs is fatigue. Many truckers work long hours, often 12 hours or more a day. The lines of the road and the monotony can cause a hypnotic effect and can sedate drivers. They can swerve off the road or worse, hit another car and injure someone else. Falling asleep at the wheel is very dangerous for both the trucker and his travel companions sharing the road.

Another hazard is dangerous driving conditions. For example a trucker may be navigating steep hills and mountains and icy roads. They can lose control of the truck and swerve off the mountain. There may be falling rocks, dead animals, debris on the road, nails, and other hazards that can get in the way of the truck and cause damage and disaster.

Other accident hazards include slips, trips and falls from a tall cabin, cabin ladder or trailer, overturning of heavily loaded truck due to mechanical failure, difficult road conditions and/or excessive speed, head-on collisions, etc., with resulting life-threatening trapping of driver inside cabin or under the truck, injuries due to accidental bumping into unguarded rigid parts of truck or cargo, injuries while performing various functions of a heavy truck driver such as field repair-work, tire change, unfastening tight bands and ropes, and the danger of being crushed between tractor and trailer, or between trailers, while trying to disengage one from another.

                               

Other accidents are caused when a driver uncouples the locking device securing the tractor to the trailer.

Truckers can also be poisoned by too much exposure to exhaust gases, including carbon monoxide. The exposure of prolonged and loud engine noise of high amplitude can result in severe headaches, hearing loss, and delayed detrimental effects.

Truckers can also get sunburned driving for long periods of time in direct sun. They must take care to use lots of sunscreen and wear a protective hat.

Sitting for long periods of time and being inactive can also cause a lot of health problems. No exercise can lead to weak muscles and heart problems. Eating poorly also contributes to heart disease, clogged arteries, and high cholesterol.